The Super Eagles of Nigeria may use Cairo International Stadium, a military prone Zone on the outskirts of city, and the controversial Port Said Stadium for their group matches at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
This indication emerges as the host country; Egypt confirmed the two stadium among the six venues across five cities for this year’s Nations Cup.
The Cairo Military Academy Stadium has a total capacity of 28,500. It was one of six stadiums used in the 2006 African Cup of Nations, held in Egypt.
Seven miles up the road from Cairo International Stadium, heading for Cairo International Airport, there is the Academy Stadium at the far end of Orouba Street in the north-eastern Heliopolis district of Cairo.
It was built in 1989 for the use of military teams and students at the military academy. The ground accommodated home games of Al Ahly and Zamalek during the refurbishing of the Cairo International Stadium and occasionally still serves to stage matches of the old foes.
The stadium has a small roof extension serving as a cover for the main stand. On demand, during matches rent-a-crowd military cadets serve as ground-fillers in addition to the sparse paying spectators for football matches.
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The venues for the new-look 24-team tournament were decided by the Egypt Football Association (EFA), who have also named Alexandria, Ismailia and Suez.
“We had initially proposed eight sites for the tournament but after an inspection by a Caf [Confederation of African Football] delegation, we chose only six,” EFA spokesman Ahmed Megahed said.
The Cairo International Stadium has remained largely unused since the Arab Spring and the subsequent restriction on attendance at football in Egypt.
But the iconic Cairo venue, which can hold up to 75 000 spectators and generate an intimidating atmosphere, is due to make a return, having been the site of three previous Nations Cup finals in 1974, 1986 and 2006 and numerous African Champions League deciders.
The Port Said Stadium achieved infamy in 2012 when more than 70 people died in Egypt’s worst sporting disaster after rioting at a league game between hosts Al Masry and Al Ahly.
The stadium was renovated after the disaster and Al Masry were only allowed to return there last year.
The Air Force Stadium in Cairo replaces Al Salam Stadium, which had been originally proposed but is being used to host matches of two Cairo clubs – Ahly and El Entag Al Harby.
With the local league only due to finish in the weeks before the Nations Cup kicks off on 21 June, there will be no time to spruce up that stadium for the tournament, Megahed explained.
“It was decided then to replace it with the Air Force Stadium, which is also called the June 30 Stadium,” he said.
The Alexandria Stadium and Ismailia Stadium both return as venues after also serving in 2006. The Suez Sports Stadium has a capacity of 27 000.
The organisers are yet to give details about which venue will host the semi-finals and final. Those are expected to be finalised before the 12 April draw in Cairo.
The Confederation of African Football chose Egypt in early January to take over as host of the 2019 finals from Cameroon.
2019 Africa Cup of Nations Stadiums:
Cairo International Stadium
Air Force Stadium
Port Said Stadium
Ismailia Stadium
Suez Sport Stadium
Alexandria Stadium
